Equipment to facilitate money transfers into bank accounts

ABSTRACT

Arrangements for transferring money to a bank account, typically when paid in cash or a cash equivalent at a point of sale device, are provided. Transactional information may be transmitted to a host computer system from a point of sale device. The transactional information may include information on a bank account that is to receive the money. At least some of the transaction information may be sent to an intermediary computer system that is configured to interact with a plurality of banking networks and may determine which one of the banking networks is associated with the bank account that is to receive the money. A request may be transmitted from the intermediary computer network to a local banking network and may include information on the bank account that is to receive the money and an amount of money to deposit.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/806,484 filed Mar. 22, 2004, entitled “Equipment to Facilitate MoneyTransfers Into Bank Accounts”. Such disclosure is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of money transfers, and inparticular to money transfers directly into a recipient's bank account.In some cases, the deposit is made in a foreign bank account.

One popular way to transfer money is the so-called “money wire”technique. This service is provided by a variety of money transfercompanies, including Western Union. To transfer money, a sender mayenter a money transfer location of a distributed network of locationsand fill out a money transfer form that may include information such asthe recipient's name and the amount to be transferred. The senderprovides the money to be transferred, along with a fee. This payment istypically made in cash. To pick up the money, the recipient may go toanother money transfer location, provide appropriate identification andreceive the money in cash.

Western Union's tremendous success is due in part due to the largenumber of money transfer locations located throughout the world, makingit convenient for both senders and recipients to send money. Thisinvention relates to other ways to facilitate the convenience in pickingup a money transfer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention provides a computerized system andmethod for transferring money to a bank account, typically when paid incash or a cash equivalent at a point of sale device. According to themethod, transactional information is transmitted to a host computersystem from a point of sale device. The transactional informationincludes information on a bank account that is to receive the money. Thetransaction information is stored at the host computer system. Also, atleast some of the transaction information is sent to an intermediarycomputer system that is configured to interact with a plurality ofbanking networks in different countries. The intermediary computersystem may also determine which one of the banking networks isassociated with the bank account that is to receive the money. A requestis transmitted from the intermediary computer network to a local bankingnetwork and includes information on the bank account that is to receivethe money and an amount of money to deposit. The bank account (such as asavings account, checking account, money market account and the like)may then be credited with the money. This may be done in real time or inbatch mode. Once the money is deposited, the recipient may withdraw themoney, either directly or indirectly, such as by using a debit card.

In one arrangement, the system may comprise an international bankcomputer system having a network of regional banks. The request todeposit the money may then pass from one of the regional banks and intothe local banking network. As one example, the international bankcomputer system could be one operated by a global banking partner thathas reach into various banking networks, such as Standard CharteredBank, ABN AMRO, and the like. Such banks may have network contacts intoeach country's banking network through a third party or a subsidiarysub-bank.

In an alternative arrangement, the system may utilize a variety ofintermediary computer systems in different geographic locations. Theseintermediary computer systems may each be configured to interact withone or more local banking networks in a certain country. For instance,the intermediary computer system may comprise a regional bank computersystem (operated by a regional bank or banking association) which passesthe request to deposit the money into the local banking network. As oneparticular example, the regional bank computer system could be computersystems operated by regional banks or associations, such as Banco Azteca(for Mexico), Chase Bank (for the U.S.) or China Union Pay (for China).The host computer system may be configured to determine which regionalbank should receive the deposit information.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for processing amoney transfer transaction where money is transferred into a recipient'sbank account. According to the method, various information is enteredinto a point of sale device, such as a bank account number of a bankaccount that is to receive the money, a bank name of a bank that is toreceive the money and a location of the bank. The account number, bankname and location are incorporated into a transaction identifier that istransmitted to a host computer system. Other information that may beinput at the point of sale device includes an ABA number, a bank branchnumber and the like. Further, the customer may be provided with anidentifier that is associated with the transaction identifier.Conveniently, this identifier may be used in subsequent transactions sothat the other transactional information does not need to be re-input.

For example, the customer identifier may be input into a point of saledevice when performing another money transfer transaction. The customeridentifier is transmitted to the host computer system which performs alook-up and returns information contained in the transaction identifierto the point of sale device.

As part of the process, an amount to be transferred may also be enteredinto the point of sale device and transmitted to the host. Thisinformation is transmitted from the host computer system to a bank alongwith the transaction identifier.

In one particular aspect, the transaction identifier may comprise aneighteen digit number, with the first three digits corresponding to thebank name, the second three digits corresponding to the bank location,the next eleven digits corresponding to the account number, and the lastdigit corresponding to a check digit. In some cases, zeros may be addedin front of the account number if it is less than eleven digits. Also, alook up may be performed to determine the first three digits based onthe bank name. In a further aspect, a check digit may be included in theidentifier and be based on the bank name, location and account number.

The invention further provides a computerized system for processing amoney transfer transaction into a bank account. The system comprises ahost computer system that is in communication with a plurality of pointof sale devices. The host computer system has a processor and a memoryand is configured to receive information on a bank account number of abank account that is to receive the money, a bank name of a bank that isto receive the money and a location of the bank. The system is furtherconfigured to incorporate the account number, bank name and locationinto a transaction identifier, and to transmit to a point of sale devicea customer identifier that is associated with the transactionidentifier. Other information that may be input and transmitted includesthe bank name, ABA, branch number, the city and state of the receivingbank and the like. In this way, all of the information needed to make upthe full account number that is transmitted to the banking networks isorganized together.

In one aspect, the transaction identifier comprises an eighteen digitnumber, with the first three digits corresponding to the bank name, thesecond three digits corresponding to the geographic location of thebank, the next eleven digits corresponding to the account number, andthe last digit corresponding to a check digit. To generate the eighteendigit number, the host computer system may further be configured to addzeros in front of the account number if it is less than eleven digits.Also, the point of sale devices may be configured to perform a look upto determine the first three digits based on the bank name. Further, thehost computer system may be configured to include a check digit based onthe bank name, location and account number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a system fortransferring money into bank accounts according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a system fortransferring money into bank accounts according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating one method for transferring moneyinto bank accounts according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating one method for generating atransaction identifier according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides various systems and methods for transferringmoney directly into a recipient's bank account. The money to betransferred is initially input into a money transfer system, and may bedone so using a variety of portals. Merely as one example, money to betransferred may be input into a money transfer system by physicallyvisiting a money transfer location, such as a Western Union location,and providing a clerk with the money. Typically, the money will beprovided in cash, or as a cash equivalent, such as a check, money order,or the like. However, the invention is not limited to inputting themoney in cash. Other forms of payment include debit cards, credit cards,stored value cards, by an ACH transfer from a bank account, and thelike. In addition to physically visiting a money transfer location,remote techniques may be used as well, such as, for example, over thetelephone, using a web portal and the like.

To accommodate such payment instruments and types, various inputdevices, such as terminals or interfaces may be used. For example, alocal provider terminal may be used to accept cash, credit cards,checks, debit cards, stored value cards and smart cards. Examples ofsuch terminals are described in copending U.S. application Ser. No.09/634,901, entitled “POINT OF SALE PAYMENT SYSTEM,” filed Aug. 9, 2000by Randy J. Templeton et al., which is a nonprovisional of U.S. Prov.Appl. No. 60/147,899, entitled “INTEGRATED POINT OF SALE DEVICE,” filedAug. 9, 1999 by Randy Templeton et al, the complete disclosures of whichare herein incorporated by reference.

A kiosk terminal may also be used. The terminal may include a controllerthat communicates with various devices such as a computer, a PDA port, atelephone, a card reader, a card writer, a message issuer. As analternative, a desk top computer system may be used and may includestandard computer components as is known in the art, such as a screendisplay, one or more input devices, such as a keyboard, a pointingdevice, a touch screen, a speaker for voice recognition, and the like.In this way, various information regarding the money transfer may beinput into the transfer system. The computer may communicate withinterface network using a variety of communication techniques includingvia an internet interface, a dedicated telephone line, and the like.Hence, using the computer system, a user or a clerk may input thepayment type, such as cash, a credit or debit card number, stored valueaccount information, loyalty program account information, and the like,along with information on the recipient and the recipient's bankaccount. This information may then be processed by a host computersystem to complete the transaction.

Once the money has been input into the money transfer system, variousprocesses take place to route the money transfer request into theappropriate banking network and then to the appropriate bank where itmay be deposited into the recipient's bank account. This determinationmay be made based on the country where the funds are to be deposited. Insome cases, elements of the account number structure could be used tofacilitate proper routing. For example, certain structures of theaccount number may correlate to certain countries. Once deposited, therecipient may be notified by the recipient bank's normal reportingprocess (such as in a monthly statement), or may be notified using otherprocesses (such as by an email, mailing, phone notification, cell ormobile phone, or the like) orchestrated by the money transfer computersystem. Once in the recipient's bank account, the money may be withdrawnor transferred using any processes offered by the recipient's bank. Thesender may contact the recipient to notify the recipient of thetransferred funds.

Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a money transfer system 10will be described. Central to system 10 is a host computer system 12that controls various aspects of money transfers. Host 12 may comprise aconventional mainframe computer system, such as the system used byWestern Union, and has the ability to receive the transactioninformation and to route it to the appropriate banking network where themoney may be deposited into the recipient's bank account.

Transaction information may be input into host computer system 12 usingvarious point-of-sale devices 14. These point-of-sale devices may beconfigured to have a processor, input devices, a display screen, and thelike as is known in the art. Using the display screen, various forms maybe displayed to elicit various information needed in order to completethe money transfer transaction. For example, information such as thesender's name, the recipient's name, the recipient's bank accountnumber, the amount to be transferred, and the like may be input intopoint-of-sale device 14 and transmitted to host computer system 12. Inone option, the point-of-sale device 14 may contact host computer system12 to determine if a customer is a first time or a repeat customer. If arepeat customer, various information may be transmitted from host 12back to point-of-sale device 14 to pre-populate various screens in orderto speed up the money transfer transaction process. Point-of-saledevices 14 may communicate with host computer system 12 using any typeof network known in the art, including the telephone network, theInternet, other wide area networks, a local area network, wirelessnetworks, and the like.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, host computer system 12 isconfigured to take the transaction information and to determine how toroute the transaction based on the location of the recipient's bankaccount. More specifically, the transaction needs to be routed to anappropriate banking system in order to route the transaction to therecipient's bank account. The particular financial institution orassociation that is to receive the transaction may vary depending on theparticular location of the recipient's bank account, especially on thespecific country where the recipient's bank is located. In some cases,elements of the account number structure could be used to facilitateproper routing. For example, certain structures of the account numbermay correlate to certain countries.

As one specific example, if the sender is sending money from the UnitedStates to a recipient's bank account located in Mexico, host computersystem 12 may be configured to determine an appropriate banking partnerin Mexico to forward the transaction. As one example, the transactionalinformation may be sent to an intermediate computer system 16 that islocated within Mexico. Some specific examples of an intermediatecomputer system include those operated by Banco Azteca, Banamex and thelike. The computer system operated by Banco Azteca has the ability toroute transitions within the Mexico banking network, illustratedgenerally by reference numeral 18. Examples of current banks within theMexico banking network include Banco Batal, Banamex, Banco Santander,Banco Bancomer, and the like. Once the transaction information istransmitted from host 12 to intermediary computer system 16, it isforwarded through the Mexico banking network 18 to the appropriate bank20 where the recipient maintains an account. Once the funds aredeposited, the recipient may access the funds using any procedureaccepted by the particular bank.

As another non-limiting example, a sender in the United States maydesire to transfer money to a bank account in China. In such cases, hostcomputer system 12 is able to identify an intermediary computer system22 located within China which routes the transaction into the Chinabanking network 24. One example of an intermediary computer system 22within China is one operated by China Union Pay, an association whichfacilitates the movement of money between various banks 26. ThroughChina Union Pay, the appropriate bank is identified so that thetransferred money may be deposited to the recipient's bank account.

Host computer system 12 may also be used to transfer money into bankslocated within the United States. To do so, host computer system 12 mayfacilitate the use of a money transfer module 28 that is configured togenerate and transmit a credit to an intermediary computer system 30,such as those operated by major U.S. banks. As one example, intermediarycomputer system may be operated by a bank, such as Chase Bank. Module 28may be similar to the module described in copending U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/267,150, filed Oct. 8, 2002, the complete disclosure ofwhich is herein incorporated by reference. From module 28, intermediarybank 30 receives an ACH credit which then forwards the credit throughthe U.S. banking network 32 into an appropriate bank 34 in the U.S. Oncedeposited, the recipient may retrieve the funds using any processaccepted by bank 34.

With the embodiment of FIG. 1, host computer system 12 is able totransmit the transaction to various banking partners located withindifferent countries of the world. As an alternative to using variouslocal intermediary computer systems, the host computer system couldtransmit the transactional information directly to a global bankingpartner which has hooks into the banking networks of various countries,through a third party or a subsidiary sub-bank. Such an embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 2, which uses like reference numerals to identifysimilar components.

More specifically, in FIG. 2 the transactional information input atpoint-of-sale devices 14 is transmitted to host computer system 12 whichthen forwards the information to an intermediary computer system 38which may be operated by a global banking partner, such as StandardCharter Bank, ABN AMRO, and the like. The intermediary computer system30 then communicates with its own sub-banks 40 (or an associated thirdparty bank) which may enter the transactional information into theappropriate banking network. For example, the global banking partner maytransmit the money transfer request to a subsidiary sub-bank (such as aregional bank) operated in China, the United States, Mexico, or the likewhich transmits the money transfer request into the local bankingnetwork 42 and from there into the appropriate local bank 44.

Referring now to FIG. 3, one method for transferring money directly intoa recipient's bank account will be described. Initially, all users maybe required to provide some type of customer identifier, such as a phonenumber, social security number, loyalty number (for repeat customers) orthe like, which is sent to the host computer system for evaluation asshown in step 49. The host computer system evaluates the input todetermine whether this customer has performed any previous transactionsas shown in step 50. If this is a first time sender, transactionalinformation needed to perform the transaction is input into the point ofsale device as shown in step 52. Such information may include sender andreceiver names, address information, a sender phone number, informationon the receiver's bank and bank account, and the like. If the sender haspreviously performed a money transfer transaction, the process proceedsto step 54 where the host computer system gathers information onprevious transactions involving the sender and transmits thisinformation back to the point of sale device. This permits a check to bemade to confirm that this is the correct sender. Also, the point of saledevice may display information concerning all previous receivers towhich the sender has sent money. As shown in step 56, this allows thesender to select one of the receivers to which the sender desires tosend money. For example, the clerk may select the desired recipient froma list so that this information does not need to be re-input. Hence,information from the host may be used to “paint the screen” of the pointof sale device with information from previous transactions so that thesender simply needs to confirm correct data, information on thereceiver's bank, the sender's address, the correct service to be used,and the like.

In step 57, the sender provides information on the amount of money to bedeposited into the receiver's bank account. This information is inputinto the point of sale device.

Once the transactional information has been entered into thepoint-of-sale device, it is transmitted to the host computer system asillustrated in step 58. The host is employed to verify the transactionalinformation, such as by checking to make sure a proper bank accountnumber has been input. Other types of information that may be input atthe point-of-sale device and checked at the host computer system includethe recipient's name, the amount to be transferred, the recipient'saddress, the name of the recipient's bank, the location of therecipient's bank, and the like.

Once the host computer system has the appropriate transactionalinformation, it may process the information into an appropriate formatand then determine the appropriate intermediary computer system which isto receive the processed transactional information as illustrated instep 62. Depending on the type of intermediary computer system, variousoptions are available for routing the transaction. For example, asillustrated in step 64, if the intermediary computer system is aninternational banking computer system with sub-banks located throughoutthe world, the international banking computer system may determine theappropriate banking network that is associated with the bank accountthat is to receive the money. The banking network may then be used todeposit the money into the recipient's bank account as illustrated instep 66. Alternatively, if the intermediary computer system is aregional bank computer system or a regional banking association computersystem, the intermediary computer system may deposit the money directlyinto the recipient's bank account using the local banking network. Forexample, if the local banking network is in the United States, theintermediary computer system may perform an ACH transfer to deposit thefunds into the recipient's bank account as illustrated in step 68.

Once the money has been transferred, the recipient and/or clerk mayreceive a receipt that is printed at the point-of-sale device.Information on the receipt may include an identifier, such as a moneytransfer control number that allows the transaction to be identified inthe host computer system. The receipt may also include the sender'sname, the receiver's name, the city in which the recipient's bank islocated, the total amount transferred, any fees charged, and the like.Other information that may be provided to the sender includes thesender's address, the receiving bank, any loyalty information, therecipient's bank account number or routing number, any disclaimers ormessages, signature lines, and the like.

In some cases, the local banking network may need to receive the moneytransfer information in a certain format. FIG. 4 illustrates one methodfor placing the transactional information into an appropriate format.The method illustrated in FIG. 4 is particularly useful in countriessuch as Mexico, but the invention is not limited to only the Mexicobanking network. As illustrated in step 70, a transaction identifier isinput into the point-of-sale device. The transaction identifier may needto be in an 18 digit format in order for the local banking network toroute the transaction. Hence, in step 72 a check is done to insure thatthe identifier is 18 digits. This check may be done at the point of saledevice or at the host. If 18 digits, the process proceeds to step 74where the host computer system (or the point of sale device) mayoptionally perform various checks or validations. For example, a checkmay be performed to confirm that the check digit value of the accountnumber is correct. When using the 18 digit format, the first 3 digits(digits 1-3) represent a code indicative of a bank name. The next 3digits (digits 4-6) are the location number or “Plaza” number. Thisvalue is the correlated numeric value to the city/state of therecipient's bank that is to receive the deposit. The next 11 digits(digits 7-17) are the recipient's bank account number. In some cases,this value may be less than 11 digits. In such cases, the method may beconfigured to transform the bank account number into 11 digits asdescribed below. Finally, the last digit (digit 18) is a check digit.The check digit is evaluated at the host to determine whether or not theother information in the transaction identifier has been appropriatelyinput.

The table below illustrates an algorithm to confirm or create the checkdigit.

Bank Plaza Account Number Check Digit 3 digits 3 digits 11 digits Onedigit 0 0 2 1 1 5 0 1 6 0 0 3 2 6 9 4 1 ?

To determine the check digit, the computer system multiplies theaggregated total number (bank number, Plaza number and account number bythe weights of “3, 7 and 1.” This starts from the left and moves to theright. The product that is created will only consist of the ones digit(e.g. 6×7=42; only the ‘2’ is used).

$\frac{\begin{matrix}00211501600326941 \\37137137137137137\end{matrix}}{00237507600362927}$

The total amount of the products is summed together. The ones digit ofthis summation is then used as the check digit. Hence, the host computersystem (or the point of sale device) will be configured to run thisalgorithm and if the check digit is incorrect, then a message will besent back to the point-of-sale device (if it is not calculated at thepoint of sale device) to have the number re-entered.

Various other optional checks that may be performed at the host or thepoint of sale device include a check to perform wherein the first threedigits correlate to a valid bank name number. A check may be performedto confirm whether the second three digits correlate to a validgeographic location identifier. Further, a check may be performed toconfirm whether the 11 digit bank account number value is valid.

If the bank account number is 11 digits or less (as illustrated in step76) the host computer system or the point of sale device may construct a“full” account number (such as the 18 digit number described above) asshown in step 78. It will be appreciated that for some intermediarybanks, an 18 digit number is not needed because the bank has their owninternal format. However, in cases where the account number will gooutside such an intermediary bank, an 18 digit number may be needed.Further, in some cases, the intermediary bank could be configured togenerate the 18 digit number (rather than the host or the point of saledevice).

In step 78, if the account number is 11 digits, it may be assumed thatthe identifier that has been entered is the recipient's bank accountnumber. If the identifier is not 11 digits, zeros are added to theaccount number (beginning at the left of the account number) until thefull number is 11 digits. Also, a bank number (digits 1-3) and a Plazanumber (digits 4-6) also need to be provided. This may be done by havingthe user chose at the point-of-sale device the bank name and assigning athree digit value that corresponds to the bank name. Merely by way ofexample, the point-of-sale device may list the following banks and theirassociated number.

Num. Bank Name 002 BANAMEX 002 CITIBANK 003 SERFIN 006 BANCOMEXT 012BANCOMER 012 BBVA 014 SANTANDER MEXICANO 019 BANJERCITO 021 BITAL 022 GECapital 030 BANCO EL BAJIO 032 IXE 036 INBURSA 037 INTERACCIONES 042MIFEL 044 SCOTIABANK INVERLAT 058 BANREGIO 059 INVEX 060 BANSI 062AFIRME 072 BANORTE 102 ABN Amro 103 American express 106 Bank of America107 Bank Boston 108 Bank Tokyo 110 JP Morgan 113 Dresdner Bank 114 BankOne 116 ING 119 HSBC 124 Deutsche 126 Credit Suisse 127 AZTECA 149BANRURAL 161 BANCRECER 166 BANSEFI 168 HIPOTECARIA FEDERAL

A similar process may be used to determine the Plaza number by havingthe user enter the city/state where the recipient's bank is located andthen performing a look-up to determine the appropriate Plaza number.With the bank name number (first 3 digits), bank location number (second3 digits) and the account number (the next 11 digits), the host computersystem may calculate the check digit in a manner similar to thatpreviously described and then generate the customer full account numberas 18 digits.

The following two examples illustrate the generation of the 18 digitnumber when the account number provided by the user is 11 digits, andwhen less than 11 digits.

Example 1

1. Account number give of “12345678901” 2. Bank name given of Banamex“002” 3. Location of Aguascalientes, AGS “010” 4. Full account numberof: “00201012345678901” 5. Full account number with check digit:“002010123456789015”

Example 2

1. Account number given of “123456789” 2. Bank name given of Banamex“002” 3. City/State of Aguascalientes, AGS “010” Full account number of“00201000123456789” Full account number with check digit“002010001234567897”

In step 80, all other transaction details are completed, such asobtaining the sender's address, amount to be sent, and the like. Thisinformation may be transmitted to the host computer system if in adistributed system, or stored locally if locally withheld. The 18 digitnumber and other information may be transmitted to a local bank, such asBanco Azteca, to process the transaction. A receipt may also be printedand provided to the sender.

As illustrated in step 82, an inquiry may be made as to whether this isa first time user. If so, a customer number (such as a loyalty cardnumber) may be generated and transmitted back to the customer asillustrated in step 84. (The loyalty card number could be generated anytime during the transaction.) The customer number may comprise the 18digit number, or another type of customer number that may be saved bythe user. Hence, when performing another money transfer transaction, thecustomer may simply provide the customer number which will be used topre-populate the point-of-sale device screen with the 18 digit numberand any information on the sender and proposed recipient. Once thisinformation is provided, the transaction may continue as illustrated instep 86.

The invention has now been described in detail for purposes of clarityand understanding. However, it will be appreciated at certain changesand modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for conducting a money transfer, themethod comprising: receiving, at a computer system, from a point-of-saledevice, a transaction identifier indicating a bank account, wherein:funds are to be deposited into the bank account; the transactionidentifier includes a bank account number associated with the bankaccount; and the transaction identifier is a length of digits;determining, by the computer system, the transaction identifier is acomplete transaction identifier if the length of digits of thetransaction identifier is a first length of digits; creating, by thecomputer system, the complete transaction identifier if the length ofdigits of the transaction identifier is a second length of digits,wherein: the complete transaction identifier is created using the bankaccount number, a bank identifier associated with the bank account, anda bank location number of the bank associated with the bank account; andthe second length of digits is less than the first length of digits; andinitiating, by the computer system, the money transfer using thecomplete transaction identifier.
 2. The method for conducting the moneytransfer of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, at the point-of-saledevice, from a user sending the money transfer, an indication of a nameof the bank associated with the bank account where the funds are to bedeposited.
 3. The method for conducting the money transfer of claim 2,further comprising: determining the bank identifier associated with thebank account based on the indication of the name of the bank receivedfrom the user sending the money transfer.
 4. The method for conductingthe money transfer of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, at thepoint-of-sale device, from a user sending money, an indication of alocation of the bank associated with the bank account where the fundsare to be deposited.
 5. The method for conducting the money transfer ofclaim 4, further comprising: determining a plaza number associated withthe bank account based on the location of the bank received from theuser sending the money transfer, wherein the complete transactionidentifier is created using the plaza number.
 6. The method forconducting the money transfer of claim 1, wherein the completetransaction identifier is exactly 17 digits in length and the bankaccount number is 11 digits in length.
 7. The method for conducting themoney transfer of claim 6, wherein the bank identifier is 3 digits andthe complete transaction identifier further includes a plaza number anda check digit.
 8. The method for conducting the money transfer of claim1, further comprising: determining, by the computer system, thetransaction identifier is less than the second length of digits; and inresponse to determining the transaction identifier is less than thesecond length of digits, adding, by the computer system, zeros to themost significant digits of the transaction identifier to make the numberof digits of the transaction identifier be the second length of digits.9. The method for conducting the money transfer of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving, by the point-of-sale device, an indication that auser sending the money transfer is a first-time user; creating acustomer number for the user; and in response to receiving the customernumber when the user is conducting a second money transfer,pre-populating the complete transaction identifier at the point-of-saledevice for the user.
 10. A system for conducting a money transfer, thesystem comprising: a point-of-sale device; and a host computer systemconfigured to: receive from the point-of-sale device, a transactionidentifier indicating a bank account, wherein: funds are to be depositedinto the bank account; the transaction identifier includes a bankaccount number associated with the bank account; and the transactionidentifier is a length of digits; determine the transaction identifieris a complete transaction identifier if the length of digits of thetransaction identifier is a first length of digits; create the completetransaction identifier if the length of digits of the transactionidentifier is a second length of digits, wherein: the completetransaction identifier is created using the bank account number, and atleast one of: a bank identifier associated with the bank account, and abank location number of the bank associated with the bank account; andinitiate the money transfer using the complete transaction identifier.11. The system for conducting the money transfer of claim 10, whereinthe host computer system is further configured to: receive, from a usersending the money transfer via the point-of-sale device, an indicationof a name of the bank associated with the bank account where the fundsare to be deposited; and receive, from the user sending the moneytransfer via the point-of-sale device, an indication of a location ofthe bank associated with the bank account where the funds are to bedeposited.
 12. The system for conducting the money transfer of claim 11,wherein the host computer system is further configured to: determine thebank identifier associated with the bank account based on the indicationof the name of the bank received from the user sending the moneytransfer; and determine a plaza number associated with the bank accountbased on the location of the bank received from the user sending themoney transfer, wherein the complete transaction identifier is createdusing the plaza number.
 13. The system for conducting the money transferof claim 11, wherein the point-of-sale device is configured to:determine the bank identifier associated with the bank account based onthe indication of the name of the bank received from the user sendingthe money transfer; and determine a plaza number associated with thebank account based on the location of the bank received from the usersending the money transfer, wherein the complete transaction identifieris created using the plaza number.
 14. The system for conducting themoney transfer of claim 10, wherein the complete transaction identifieris exactly 17 digits in length and the bank account number is 11 digitsin length.
 15. The system for conducting the money transfer of claim 14,wherein the bank identifier is 3 digits and the complete transactionidentifier further includes a plaza number and a check digit.
 16. Thesystem for conducting the money transfer of claim 11, wherein the hostcomputer system is further configured to: determine the transactionidentifier is less than the second length of digits; and in response todetermining the transaction identifier is less than the second length ofdigits, add zeros to the most significant digits of the transactionidentifier to make the number of digits of the transaction identifier bethe second length of digits.
 17. The system for conducting the moneytransfer of claim 11, wherein the host computer system is furtherconfigured to: receive an indication a user sending the money transferis a first-time user; create a customer number for the user; and inresponse to receiving the customer number when the user is conducting asecond money transfer, pre-populate the complete transaction identifierat the point-of-sale device for the user.
 18. A computer program productresiding on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium forconducting a money transfer, the computer program product comprisingcomputer-readable instructions configured to cause a processor to:receive a transaction identifier indicating a bank account, wherein:funds are to be deposited into the bank account; the transactionidentifier includes a bank account number associated with the bankaccount; and the transaction identifier is a length of digits; receive,from a user sending the money transfer via the point-of-sale device, anindication of a name of the bank associated with the bank account wherethe funds are to be deposited; receive, from the user sending the moneytransfer via the point-of-sale device, an indication of a location ofthe bank associated with the bank account where the funds are to bedeposited; determine the bank identifier associated with the bankaccount based on the indication of the name of the bank received fromthe user sending the money transfer; determine a plaza number associatedwith the bank account based on the location of the bank received fromthe user sending the money transfer, wherein the complete transactionidentifier is created using the plaza number; create the completetransaction identifier if the length of digits of the transactionidentifier is a first length of digits, wherein: the completetransaction identifier is created using the bank account number, a bankidentifier associated with the bank account, and a bank location numberof the bank associated with the bank account; and initiate the moneytransfer using the complete transaction identifier.
 19. The computerprogram product residing on the non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 18, wherein the complete transaction identifier isexactly 17 digits in length and the bank account number is 11 digits inlength.
 20. The computer program product residing on the non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the computerprogram product further comprises computer-readable instructionsconfigured to cause the processor to: receive an indication a usersending the money transfer is a first-time user; create a customernumber for the user; and in response to receiving the customer numberwhen the user is conducting a second money transfer, pre-populate thecomplete transaction identifier at the point-of-sale device for theuser.